Okay, I'm confused again.

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Okay, so one common doctrine that Biblical repentence doesn't mean "Turning away from sin" but it means "Changing of ones mind" in greek. In other words, changing our minds about our Savior and accepting Jesus Christ.

But, why in does Paul say in (Hebrews 10:26) that if we continue to sin willfully there remains no more sacrifice for sins? Also in (Galatians 5:16) Paul tells us to "Walk in the spirit and you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh." He goes on in verses 19-21 to explain what lusts of the flesh are and says that people who fulfill the lusts of the flesh will not inherit the kingdom of God. One of them in specific is Adultery, a sin which Jesus said is either divorcing another or looking at another person lustfully. So, what exactly does Paul mean by these verses if we're not to try to turn away from our sins?
 

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Okay, so one common doctrine that Biblical repentence doesn't mean "Turning away from sin" but it means "Changing of ones mind" in greek. In other words, changing our minds about our Savior and accepting Jesus Christ.

But, why in does Paul say in (Hebrews 10:26) that if we continue to sin willfully there remains no more sacrifice for sins? Also in (Galatians 5:16) Paul tells us to "Walk in the spirit and you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh." He goes on in verses 19-21 to explain what lusts of the flesh are and says that people who fulfill the lusts of the flesh will not inherit the kingdom of God. One of them in specific is Adultery, a sin which Jesus said is either divorcing another or looking at another person lustfully. So, what exactly does Paul mean by these verses if we're not to try to turn away from our sins?

Biblical repentance definitely means turning away from sin. There are many passages that talk about this:

"19 Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.”" 2 Tim. 2:19 (NASB)

As far as the passage in Hebrews is concerned, you're talking about a very difficult passage and you'll probably find a variety of opinions here. I would suggest you study it out for yourself and form your own opinion. And, just as an FYI, Paul did not write Hebrews.
 
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John Hyperspace

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Okay, so one common doctrine that Biblical repentence doesn't mean "Turning away from sin" but it means "Changing of ones mind" in greek. In other words, changing our minds about our Savior and accepting Jesus Christ.

As I'm lead to understand, what "repent" means is to "think beyond" or to "transform your understanding"; to think, beyond the carnal, worldly, earthly understanding of the law (which genders to bondage), and move to a higher understanding - the understanding of the mind of Christ, which is "in the heavenly places", and to begin to understand in the Spirit: as the apostle write concerning the "letter" as opposed to the "spirit": 2 Corinthians 3:6

In this manner we are set free from bondage to the "letter of the law" and serve in "newness of Spirit": that is, instead of "trying" and continually failing to fulfill the "letter of the law/commandments" we are to continually fulfill the Spirit of the law, which is "love your neighbor" and we produces the "fruits of the Spirit" instead of the "works of the law": Galatians 5:22-23: these bringing forth fruits "meet for repentance" and allow fulfillment of the "law of Christ" which was written through Spirit on the heart: Galatians 6:2: as opposed to the "law of Moses" which was graven by letter into stone: Romans 7:25, Romans 8:2, John 1:17, 2 Corinthians 3:3

Now, it is the "lawyers and Pharisees" which sit in the "seat of Moses": Matthew 23:2: they which "bind heavy burdens" accoring to the "letter of the law" and that of the "law of sin and death": Matthew 23:4: from which Christ was sent to "set at liberty": Isaiah 58:6, Luke 4:18, 2 Corinthians 3:17, James 2:12, 1 Peter 2:16

And we see these, trying again to bring people under the "yoke of bondage" to "obedience to the letter of the law": Galatians 2:4, Galatians 5:1, 2 Peter 2:19: and this "return to corruption" is return out of the "grace of God" which sets "at liberty" from sin, and to return to the "Egypt" of "bondage to corruption" or, "trying to live by the letter of the law" of which is said: Romans 10:5 and if you read the epistles, you'll find this theme at greater length, those "of the law" attempting to bring those "set at liberty" back into bondage to "works of the law", which is, "trying not to violate the letter of the commands" as a means of "attaining righteousness" which will never work: Romans 9:32, Romans 10:4, Galatians 2:16, Philippians 3:9

But, why in does Paul say in (Hebrews 10:26) that if we continue to sin willfully there remains no more sacrifice for sins?

Here the writer (not necessarily Paul) is speaking of this same theme, abandoning the "justification through faith" in an attempt to "return to bondage" and "work of your own will to works of the law in order to attain salvation":

Hebrews 10:1 Note the subject is "the law" and how it is not "the very image" but a "shadow of the very image"
Hebrews 10:2-3 Note that in this system of atonement, there is no "purged conscience" but a continual "remembrance of sins, every year"
Hebrews 10:9 Note "taking away the first, to establish the second"
Hebrews 10:22 Note that we are to have our very conscience "sprinkled" with the blood of one, perpetual atonement, covering all sin for all of time, that our conscience may be "purified by faith" and not "works of the law"
Hebrews 10:29 Note that; how are they "doing despite to the Spirit"? They are returning to "Egypt" or, "bondage to the law" in order to "attain righteousness"; and having done so, the have removed from the bounds of grace and faith, and fled back to Egypt to enter again into bondage in an attempt to be made "righteous"; now, in contrast to this, the writer begins the chapter of "faith" in chapter 11. This chapter speaks of faith in the "promise": Hebrews 11:2

Hebrews 11:13-15 Now, note these verse, and how these of faith sought a promise, and a place to come; and how they may have had "opportunity to have returned"; to return to that place from which they left: as we have in faith, "left Egypt" or "works of the law" in order to fully pursue "the promise" in "faith" and not by "works of the law":

So of this justification is written: Acts 13:39: Romans 3:21

Now, in these passages: Galatians 2:21, Galatians 5:4: is what is being meant by "drawing back to perdition" as written at Hebrews 10:38-39 and this "drawing back" is what the writer is speaking of as "no more sacrifice for sins"; that is to say, if one is brought again into the bondage of, righteousness through works by the following of the letter of the command, his conscience is not purged of sin, and he will bring into remembrance his sin, and his transgression, and his conscience will be burned, and his failure to attain righteousness through the letter of the command will cause fear and torment, and a continual "fearful looking for judgment" instead of a blessed hope in judgment by which we approach the throne of grace "boldly" knowing that our righteouness is not made perfect by the work of our own will, but by the finished work of Christ. Galatians 4:9 (note the word "elements" in this passage is the same as those 'elements' spoken of by Peter in his 2nd letter, which 'pass away' in 'fire'"), Colossians 2:6-8, ("rudiments" in this passage is also the same Greek as "elements" in the previous passages): Colossians 2:13-14

So what the writers are discussing at length is the tendancy of those who begin in faith toward the promise as an act of God, to "draw back" from that grace, and return to "bondage" to the "letter of the law" and the "written commandments" in an attempt to "perfect" their own salvation by their own will and work. If this is done, they have "frustrated the grace of God", and cause their own conscience, and that of others 'weak in the faith' to become "fearful" and looking for "fear and wrath" and begin to become fearful of God instead of finding the peace which sets at full liberty in love: 1 John 4:18

Also in (Galatians 5:16) Paul tells us to "Walk in the spirit and you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh." He goes on in verses 19-21 to explain what lusts of the flesh are and says that people who fulfill the lusts of the flesh will not inherit the kingdom of God. One of them in specific is Adultery, a sin which Jesus said is either divorcing another or looking at another person lustfully. So, what exactly does Paul mean by these verses if we're not to try to turn away from our sins?

Note how the chapter opens: Galatians 5:1. Paul is again talking about removing from the Spirit and grace, back into the "yoke of bondage" the proverbial "Egypt" of the mind that "tries" to "obey the commandments". There is no "try" in regards to "righteousness by the letter of the commands"; there is only "failure", and with that failure, a "constant fear". Because, if you think that the sacrifice of Christ was not enough to make you every whit white and clean, and that you must "add" to the work of Christ, then there is no more "sacrifice" for the sin in your conscience. If the sacrifice of Christ is not enough in and of itself; then there is no further sacrifice to wholly remove sin from the conscience.

Galatians 5:5-6 Paul continues, nothing avails except faith working through love. But the people to whom he is writing are "trying" to add the works of the letter of the command to what they were first taught (their, first love) concerning the faith: Galatians 5:2-4.

Galatians 5:13-14. Now, we see here that Paul makes known that, althought we are set at liberty from "the ordinaces/commands" this liberty is not an an "occassion to the flesh" (that is, "let's sin and sin some more, all the time, all we desire") but that, unfeigned faith and unfeigned love, compells us to not want to do any harm to others, to, love one another. Thus, through the Spirit of unfeigned love, we do not "try" to "not murder": we simply are compelled to, not murder: we do not "forsake murder" because we attempt to "obey the law to attain righteousness" but we do not murder, because that is an act contrary to unfeigned love.

Romans 5:17 Now we see that there is a conflict between the two: flesh and Spirit, so that we cannot do the things "that ye would": meaning, you cannot keep all of the law of commands; you want to because of the Spirit, but you cannot because of the flesh. So, all who would return to bondage will find that they cannot do what the want to; and this, through no fault of their own love, but because of the warring of the flesh against the Spirit.

Galatians 5:18

Galatians 5:19-21 Now here is the "works of the flesh", and these are what people who "try" to "work" and "obey the letter of the law" become: because they cannot keep the law, and by placing themselves under the law, they receive the curse of the law, and are found to be these things. Galatians 3:10, James 2:10, Romans 10:5. So if you try to "keep the letter of the rules" in order to "be righteous" then you have placed yourself under the "letter of the curse" which convicts you of being, all of these things "of the flesh"

But

Galatians 5:22-23

One who has completely left "bondage" and is moving forward fully in the Spirit, and hope of the promise through faith and love: these are they "against whom there is no law"; there is no accuser; for, only in the deeds of obedience to a set of rules can there be an "accuser" of whom then it was said to the Pharisees: John 5:45
 
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Stillicidia

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Repentance is a genuine changing of ways toward Holiness.
It goes heavily along with God knows the hearts and minds,
and it goes along with how much you seek, what you pursue,
but most important your willingness to change,
because God knows your inabilities, weaknesses and strengths.

Repentance is involved with the cup of wrath, which everyone has.
When you think repentance, you should consider it along with the cup of wrath.
When your cup is full, God might tell you, but he still will not judge you until it overflows. When it overflows you will be judged. Empty it through repentance.
Put the two together to better grasp the significance of repentance.
 
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TheNorwegian

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Repentance means two things: Changing of you mind (about your former way of life) plus changing your actions (= stop sinning). The Greek word used in NT for repentance is metanoia. Friberg Greek Lexicon says this about the word:

meta,noia, strictly later knowledge, subsequent correction; (1) religiously and morally, as a change of mind leading to change of behavior repentance, conversion, turning about (MT 3.8; 2C 7.10); (2) as a change of opinion in respect to one's acts regret, remorse (a popular Greek usage not found in the NT)
 
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masmpg

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Repentance means two things: Changing of you mind (about your former way of life) plus changing your actions (= stop sinning). The Greek word used in NT for repentance is metanoia. Friberg Greek Lexicon says this about the word:

meta,noia, strictly later knowledge, subsequent correction; (1) religiously and morally, as a change of mind leading to change of behavior repentance, conversion, turning about (MT 3.8; 2C 7.10); (2) as a change of opinion in respect to one's acts regret, remorse (a popular Greek usage not found in the NT)

I like this. Peter emphasizes this in Acts:3:19: "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;" This leads to the death of the "old man" Paul writes about in Ephesians:4:22: "That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;" And also the big change is depicted by this verse in 2Corinthians:5:17: "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." ALL things means ALL things. We cannot put on Christ and live our fleshly lives like most believe and teach. This transformation is complete before we get baptized, then our walk of sanctification begins.

Many want to say that the man of Romans 7 who is "carnal, sold under sin" verse 14 is a converted state, when Paul tells us in Romans:8:5-8: For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God." So when we are converted we are converted from sin to righteousness,when we are justified freely by grace if we have the faith to believe it.
 
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YCGP

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So what the writers are discussing at length is the tendancy of those who begin in faith toward the promise as an act of God, to "draw back" from that grace, and return to "bondage" to the "letter of the law" and the "written commandments" in an attempt to "perfect" their own salvation by their own will and work. If this is done, they have "frustrated the grace of God", and cause their own conscience, and that of others 'weak in the faith' to become "fearful" and looking for "fear and wrath" and begin to become fearful of God instead of finding the peace which sets at full liberty in love: 1 John 4:18

Could someone please explain to me, in laymen's terms, what the lesson is here? At this point my understanding is as follows: If we truly love God and truly want to be spiritual, then we will get what we are after; however, if we simply live by the rules without changing our own feelings about this new life, then we are being counterproductive and God does not appreciate our effort. In fact, living by the laws without changing the way one feels first, is basically missing the point of the laws in the first place.

Is that right?
 
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John Hyperspace

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Could someone please explain to me, in laymen's terms, what the lesson is here? At this point my understanding is as follows: If we truly love God and truly want to be spiritual, then we will get what we are after; however, if we simply live by the rules without changing our own feelings about this new life, then we are being counterproductive and God does not appreciate our effort. In fact, living by the laws without changing the way one feels first, is basically missing the point of the laws in the first place.

Is that right?

Right, it's somewhat of a question of "Why do you wish to conform to the law?" Is it because the Spirit of love toward others compels you toward the standard of the law? In analogy, there is a horse and there is a cart. The horse is love, the cart is the law. If the horse is in front of the cart, then you're fulfilling the spirit of the law, even if not the letter of the law. If you've got the cart in front of the horse, it's backwards.
 
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masmpg

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Could someone please explain to me, in laymen's terms, what the lesson is here? At this point my understanding is as follows: If we truly love God and truly want to be spiritual, then we will get what we are after; however, if we simply live by the rules without changing our own feelings about this new life, then we are being counterproductive and God does not appreciate our effort. In fact, living by the laws without changing the way one feels first, is basically missing the point of the laws in the first place.

Is that right?

That is the very definition of legalism. You hit the nail on the head. Everything must be done through the eyes of agape love. If we do anything for merit we have no place with God, what we do is out of love for Him and our neighbor. I ask you this: Could you kill someone you love, really agape love? Could you steal from them, commit adultery, covet, lie, not honor your parents if you really love?

However, just because we call ourselves Christian does not relieve us from pour duty to obey God. When we accept Jesus as out Lord and Saviour we are taking on great responsibilities, the greatest of which is love. IF we love we will obey, it is that simple. We will obey all God commands no matter what any man says. This is the very definition of what it means to do what Paul states in 2Corinthians:5:17: "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."
Saying a couple words (the sinners prayer) then going about our worldly life does not make a Christian. Christianity is a radical change, not just a patch here and there but a complete transformation of the whole self. I like how Paul describes it often as a death. I ask this: can we be half dead? either we are dead to self (the old man) or alive to self.
 
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YCGP

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The fact that it is a complete transformation is intimidating to me. What will life be like five years from now? Will I snickered at and pointed at and will I wear a brown robe or something? Haha... new to all of this. I am definitely guilty of sinner's prayer.
 
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masmpg

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The fact that it is a complete transformation is intimidating to me. What will life be like five years from now? Will I snickered at and pointed at and will I wear a brown robe or something? Haha... new to all of this. I am definitely guilty of sinner's prayer.

LOL All Christians go through what Paul explains in Romans seven. This chapter is what I call the process of becoming converted. We all struggle with "the good I want to do I do not, and the bad I don't want to do that I do" this is the struggle every born again Christian struggles with. Many struggle with this all their lives because they believe that it is the Christian experience, but the Christian experience does not start for the man of Romans 7 until he cries out in verse 24: "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" This is where he is uncertain, and it seems you are too, then after some inquisitiveness he realizes in the next verse 25: "I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin." This is where he is converted.

Certainly the life of a Christian is not all a bed of roses, but neither is a life of sin and death. But the end of the Christians life is eternal life in the bliss of what John explains in revelation 21&22. Read those and compare a life there with the life explained in revelation 20:11-15.

One other wonderful promise of the Christian walk is that we will have power every step of the way if we have faith, because we are told in Hebrews:13:5:" Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."
 
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YCGP

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Thank you @maspg for sharing with me, and for offering some clarity.

For me I believe the obstacle to overcome is the thinking that I may be missing out on something important, like I had made some big mistake, and I would regretfully find this out years from now.

I now want to ask the question, what am I staying away from if I truly live a Christian life? Though I know this is ignorant, I know that I will stay away from many things that bring darkness and pain into my life. But what about my own chances for a worldly life, what about my shot at the big time, because I chose to be a teacher (this is what God tells me to become) rather than a record producer? What am I giving up by prescribing to this religion?

What if we get to the end and it's just lights out? If I change my mind now I won't have to worry about the regret at an old age that I simply didn't even try for what I wanted in my youth, that I gave up on my dreams and aspirations, and let go of my ideas, for my dreams are far different from what I believe God has spoken about my career-path, and my ideas are hypocritical in nature, for they do promote evils. I see life with God playing out completely differently than a life without God. Strangely enough, I will admit that I hardly ever see victory or blessings when I think of a life with God in the future... Though I know we are not supposed to worry about the future...
 
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masmpg

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Thank you @maspg for sharing with me, and for offering some clarity.

For me I believe the obstacle to overcome is the thinking that I may be missing out on something important, like I had made some big mistake, and I would regretfully find this out years from now.

I now want to ask the question, what am I staying away from if I truly live a Christian life? Though I know this is ignorant, I know that I will stay away from many things that bring darkness and pain into my life. But what about my own chances for a worldly life, what about my shot at the big time, because I chose to be a teacher (this is what God tells me to become) rather than a record producer? What am I giving up by prescribing to this religion?

What if we get to the end and it's just lights out? If I change my mind now I won't have to worry about the regret at an old age that I simply didn't even try for what I wanted in my youth, that I gave up on my dreams and aspirations, and let go of my ideas, for my dreams are far different from what I believe God has spoken about my career-path, and my ideas are hypocritical in nature, for they do promote evils. I see life with God playing out completely differently than a life without God. Strangely enough, I will admit that I hardly ever see victory or blessings when I think of a life with God in the future... Though I know we are not supposed to worry about the future...


WOW! This is awesome. This is quite a battle, and you do not have to go through it alone. It is impossible to explain the blessings one receives from God, they must be lived, experienced. The worldly life is the broad road as you know, but what if you head down that road and fail? I know and you probably do to, who is the mover and shaker of the whole music industry, and it is not angels of God. To get into Godly uplifting music will not bring fortune and fame, but then again the blessings from God are far more protecting then the empty shell of worldly enterprise. Seek out some converted, or "born again" Christians who have come out of the music industry. I have heard some amazing testimonies from them.

On a personal note. Growing up my life revolved around music. I had 3500 albums, in the 70s, until I became Christian, early 80s. After I became Christian I took them to the dumps and threw them at the bulldozer to watch them, plastic like glass original albums smash on the blade of the dozer. If I had those albums today they would be worth a fortune. I was convicted that if the music was not uplifting for me it is not for others. I still love music but I look for talent and uplifting lyrics like this here. The greatest rendition of Amazing Grace ever! I try to find the best of all musicians, best drummer, best guitarist, best violin, best vocals.

Listen to this on stereo and turn it up! I weep every time I hear it.

 
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hedrick

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According to TDNT, the obvious meaning is change your mind, but in Greek usage that came to include feeling regret. While the noun form could be simply regret "It bears witness to a sense of committed faults which must be corrected. It expresses pain or grief at what has happened." The LXX didn't use it often, but it did include "an alteration in total attitude, to the relation to God which embraces the whole of life, to a change in nature which results from a reorientation brought about by God." In later Jewish usage it meant "turn" or "convert."

In the NT there is also a range of meaning, sometimes just to change your mind. However in my opinion (having reviewed the uses in a Bible search program), when Jesus uses it, most commonly he referring to something like conversion, changing from someone who is opposed to the Kingdom to someone who is his follower. It's not primarily used in the way many current Christians do, as asking forgiveness for a specific sin.

Indeed Jesus focuses primarily on being a follower, on our primary direction. He certainly expects obedience, and indicates that God will hold us accountable for what we do, but he doesn't condemn people for specific sins, nor do his teachings on judgement do so. People are judged for the overall nature of their lives, either for abusing others or for not showing any fruit.

Acts seems to use it similarly. It's not as common elsewhere.
 
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